Physical

This section is all about inspiring young people to achieve greater physical fitness and a healthy lifestyle through participation and involvement in physical activity.

There really is an activity for everyone, even if you don't consider yourself sporty. It's just about finding one that excites and interests you enough to follow through with.

You might want to try something completely new, or you might prefer to develop in an area you're already pursuing like a specific sport or general fitness.

Remember: lots of the activities you're already completing through Scouts – like canoeing, caving, rock climbing, rowing, sailing or walking – could be a great match.

Participants can choose any sport, dance or fitness activity – in short, anything that requires a sustained level of energy and physical activity. For example, playing a sport regularly and showing personal improvement would count. However, learning to be a coach in the same sport would be a skills section activity, whilst being a volunteer coach counts for the volunteering section.

Checklist

The activity is suitable for the physical section.
Make sure it's a physical activity rather than a skill! If it makes you sweat and takes physical effort you're probably good.
All activities completed for an average of an hour per week for the required timescales.
You'll be able to show progression over your time doing your physical activity.
Many physical activities that count for DofE also count towards other activity badges.
If an activity's being completed through Scouts, make sure it's in line with POR.
You've agreed your activity with your leader before getting started.
Programme planner on eDofE is completed and approved by a leader.
An assessor is identified and completes an assessor's report for the participant via the DofE website or using the card in the DofE welcome pack.

Physical ideas

Assessor

Assessors check on the progress of a young person and confirm completion of the section - there is a useful card in the welcome pack which can be given to assessors at the beginning of the placements.

They should have some knowledge or be involved in the activity the young person is undertaking (eg Scout Leader or charity shop manager).

The assessor must be 18+ and not related to the participant. They'll write an assessor's report which can be submitted via the DofE website or using the card in the welcome pack.